The Satoshi Nakamoto statue in Lugano, Switzerland, has gone missing. The artwork, installed in 2024 to mark the city’s push for Bitcoin adoption, was last seen a few days ago.
A reward of 0.1 BTC has been announced for anyone with information on its whereabouts.
Public Bitcoin Statue Reported Stolen Overnight
In a major development, the statue of Bitcoin’s mysterious founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, has gone missing from its site in Lugano.
The structure, made up of vertical stripes that formed an image of Satoshi when viewed from a distance, was last seen on August 2, 2025.
The piece was installed in October 2024 during the Plan B Forum, an event held to promote Bitcoin in the city.
It is worth mentioning that the Italian artist Valentina Picozzi designed the statue as a visual illusion.
Since its unveiling, it has become a key part of Lugano’s efforts to present itself as a growing digital currency hub.
Its sudden disappearance was first posted online by user Grittoshi on X. The user suggested that the statue might have been thrown into the lake next to where it stood.
Considering the concrete installation, the missing statue has come off as a mystery in the online community. Besides the sophisticated theft, the motive is also generally not clear at this time.
Soon after the Grittoshi post, the team behind the statue, known as Satoshigallery, confirmed it has gone missing.
Interestingly, in response, they offered a reward of 0.1 BTC to anyone who could help them find it.
In a post on X, they wrote, “You can steal our symbol, but you will never be able to steal our souls.”
As of the writing of this publication, the city has not released an official statement. The artist has also not commented directly on the missing work.
Lugano’s Satoshi Nakamoto Symbol Disappears
The city partnered with Tether to roll out several Bitcoin-related projects under the Plan B initiative.
Satoshi Nakamoto, the name used by the unknown person or group who created Bitcoin, has never been identified.
The design of the statue reflected this by showing a figure that seemed to disappear when viewed from different angles.
Its removal comes shortly after Satoshigallery placed a similar statue in Tokyo, Japan.
The Italian town of Fornelli had installed such a statue in May 2025. The Fornelli version was backed by the local government.
The Lugano piece, however, was one of the most recognized, both for its design and its place in a city working to be known for Bitcoin.
It is worth mentioning that the digital asset space quickly reacted to the news of the missing statue.
Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream and an early Bitcoin contributor, elaborated upon this incident through his post on X:
Many others shared the news and expressed surprise. Some posted old pictures of the statue, while others asked questions about its security and placement.
According to Satoshigallery, it was their aim that the statue be situated in 21 cities around the world. The group made it clear that the said theft would not be an impediment in making it happen.
Though there is no word yet on who took the statue or how, the offer of 0.1 BTC for help finding it remains active.
It is important to add that people in Lugano and online have been asked to come forward with any useful tips.
Currently, the spot where the statue once stood remains empty. The layered stripes that made up Satoshi’s image are gone, leaving only bare ground.
Source: https://www.thecoinrepublic.com/2025/08/03/satoshi-nakamoto-is-missing-iconic-statue-nowhere-to-be-found/